***********************************************************
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at the opening ceremony of Upcycling Fashion and Sustainable Living Exhibition today (October 10):
Ms (Prudence) Mak (Founder of Chocolate Rain Jewelery & Design Company Limited), Ms (Elizabeth) McLafferty (Head of the Department of Fashion and Image Design of the Hong Kong Design Institute), ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. I am most delighted to join you all today at the opening ceremony of Upcycling Fashion and Sustainable Living Exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Park.
To reduce, reuse and recycle is a popular concept these days. It helps save our planet. To reduce waste, our entire community needs to embrace an environmentally sustainable culture in our daily life. But to reuse and recycle, we need to turn trash into treasure in order to make that appeal. This is an attractive idea, but many a time an ideal. We do need more than being environmentally conscious. We need some creativity.
Here today, we are going to see how the ideal sinks in - from recycling to upcycling. With the creative brains of designers and design students, this exhibition showcases stylish outfits and fashion accessories made from textile waste. It demonstrates how upcycling can contribute to our environment, and provides inspiration as to how industries can leverage upcycling for business.
The Hong Kong SAR Government supports creativity, and is committed to promoting Hong Kong as a creative city. We support programmes and events which contribute to generating demand for innovation and fostering a creative atmosphere. And we are pleased to be associated with Upcycling Fashion and Sustainable Living Exhibition 2013 by providing funding support. We will continue to work with different creative sectors and provide the necessary funding support for creative events so as to propel the development of creative industries in Hong Kong.
Last but not least, I would like to thank Chocolate Rain Jewelery & Design Company Limited and all the collaborating parties for organising this exhibition and a series of workshops and seminars. May I wish the programme every success.
Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:33
NNNN
